For immediate release - September 14, 2005

Bird-watching guide takes flight in Lake County, Fla.

TAVARES — Home to more than 1,000 lakes and rivers, Lake County, Fla., is a natural choice for Central Florida bird watchers.

A newly introduced brochure aims to share the wonders of this bird-watching paradise with other birders around the state and nation. The 20-page, full-color Lake County Bird-Watching Guide is available free by stopping by the Lake County Welcome Center, 20763 U.S. Highway 27, Groveland, calling (800) 430-LAKE or logging on to the online Bird Watching Guide.

"Bird watching is the fastest growing outdoor sport in the nation, and Lake County is happy to be a part of it,” said Greg Mihalic, Director of the Lake County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “This bird-watching pamphlet was developed, in cooperation with the Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society, to encourage local and visiting birders to explore Lake County’s natural beauty."

Staff from Lake County Government and the local Audubon Society actively partnered to develop content for a new bird-watching guide. Complete with maps, detailed descriptions and colorful images, the brochure outlines prime locations for bird watching. Other new features in the pamphlet are an in-depth bird checklist that includes more than 200 different species and Top 10 suggestions to better bird watching.

"Bird watching is a growing outdoor activity," said Mary Remer of the Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society. "Florida is wonderful for it, and there are tons of people that come down here to go bird watching. It's hard to say how many bird watchers are in Lake County at any given time, but it is a great place for it."

How many bird watchers visit or call Lake County home is anyone's guess, but with more than 18 identified locations for the activity, bird watching is a popular hobby that is enjoyed by many outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, the identified birding spots in the guide include one national forest, one state forest, three state parks and other local expansive preserves.

For more information about Lake County, Fla., call (800) 430-LAKE or log on to our Visitors site.

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Related Links
Bird Watching in Lake County

Contact information:
Christopher Patton
Communications Coordinator
Office: (352) 343-9609; Cell: (352) 455-0445
cpatton@co.lake.fl.us